Bangkok, Jan 9, 2013 - (ACN Newswire) - Top solar energy experts, politicians, developers, contractors and financiers from across the ASEAN region will be gathering in Bangkok in March for a new international conference and exhibition.

Called Solar Business Expo Southeast Asia, it takes place on March 19 and 20 at the prestigious IMPACT Arena.

Across the whole ASEAN region, solar markets are forecast to grow by 50%-plus a year for the next five years.

Heading the conference programme will be Thailand's Minister of Energy, HE Pongsak Ruktapongpisal who will talk about the government's plans to develop solar energy and the country's experiences to date.

That theme will be developed by Dr Dusit Kruangam , Chairman of the Thai Photovoltaic Industries Association, who will consider some of the key issues facing Thailand's solar sector.

The programme also includes Craig O'Connor, director of renewable energy at the USA's Ex-Im Bank, will draw on his organisations's experiences of funding solar energy projects in India, and consider the lessons for other states interested in developing similar policies.

A core part of the two-day conference be a series of presentations from leading developers in the region, who will talk about ongoing projects, their plans for the future, and what political and legislative support they need from host governments to improve the chances of creating a viable solar energy sector across the region.

Developers who have already confirmed include Achmat Nadrain Ibrahim, the General Manager of Cypark Resources from Malaysia, and Dane Muldoon, the International Director of Australian outfit SGI-Mitabu , who are very active in the Indonesian market.

The conference has also attracted great interest in the Philippines, with keynote presentations from Peter Maniego, Chairman fo the National Renewable Energy Board in the Philippines, and Dante Briones, President of the Philippines Solar Power Alliance.

In addition, Amit Jain from the Asian Development Bank and the South Asia Solar Regional Task Force will speak about the task force's work in promoting solar projects.

Solar Business Expo Southeast Asia is organised by Solar Media Ltd, specialist publisher of the pv-tech website, Solar Business Focus magazine and organiser of the Indian Solar Investment and Technology Summit. For the latest information go to www.solarbusinessexpo.com or follow @SESEA2013.

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